(Yicai Global) May 20 -- Beijing's leading bicycle-sharing platforms, including Meituan Dianping, Didi Chuxing's Qingju, and Alibaba-backed Hello Chuxing, will offer free rush-hour rides to ease traffic congestion in the city that is getting back to normal with the subsiding Covid-19 epidemic.

Till the end of this month, Beijing's users of shared bikes can ride free of charge for the first half an hour during the two daily peak periods between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. as well as between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m, the People’s Daily reported yesterday. The campaign should benefit more than 600,000 people every day.

Next month, Beijing will roll out preferential policies to encourage bike-sharing, including discounts and incentives for those who ride a lot.

Users who fail to park the two-wheelers at designated places will notice that they are unable to end their trips on the platform, nor will they be able to forego paying for the first half an hour, said Beijing's municipal transport commission.

Beijing has prepared over 2,800 kilometers of bike paths while regulating the traffic system to improve the road infrastructure for bikers, the commission added.

Editor: Emmi Laine